Introduction: Percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (epicutaneo-cava-catheter - ECC) are widely used in neonatal intensive care, facilitating the parenteral nutrition and the treatment of critically ill newborns. This invasive procedure is regarded as safe and associated with low complication rate. Possible life-threatening complications may result from malpositioning of ECC. Paraspinal misplacement of ECC is one of the most serious complications.
Case presentation: The authors report a case of misplacement of ECC inserted via left saphenous vein for intravenous feeding. A plane radiograph performed after the procedure showed the line tip at L3-L4 level, supposed to indicate location of the catheter in the vena cava inferior. Three days later, the infant developed neurologic symptoms (lethargy, hypotonia, seizures). Lumbar puncture revealed milky fluid containing parenteral nutrition solution. The infusion was stopped. X-ray with contrast showed the catheterization of the left ascending lumbar vein draining the vertebral venous plexuses. The contrast was highlighting the epidural space. The line was immediately removed resulting in improvement in patient's condition and resolution of all neurological symptoms. There was no sequela of this infiltration and the baby had an uneventful recovery. Follow-up at the age of 12 months showed normal development.
Conclusions: A percutaneous catheter inserted via a lower limb may inadvertently enter the ascending lumbar vein. As previously reported, a catheter inserted via the left lower limb is a risk factor of this malposition. The life-threatening complications may be avoided by careful verification of ECC position (lateral x-ray, contrast examination). Plain radiography alone may not be sufficient for tip localization.